Monday, 30 December 2024 14:55

New funds give Southland catchment projects a boost

Written by  Staff Reporters
The funding is divided into two categories: one for land management and another for native planting. The funding is divided into two categories: one for land management and another for native planting.

Environment Southland says it has now ring-fenced $375,000 for new funding initiatives, aimed at enhancing water quality.

The council has created two new funds, available to all landowners within the Southland region, to provide the community with an opportunity to undertake projects with up to 50% of the costs covered by council.

This will add up to $140,000 in the first year.

The third are of funding will grant Thriving Southland $235,000 for wetland mitigations and other water quality improvement projects. The fund will run until June 2026.

Environment Southland community and engagement general manager Sam Rossiter-Stead says that by providing this financial assistance, the council hopes to encourage community-driven efforts to protect and restore the natural environment.

“The funds are a great opportunity for landowners to get help to cover the costs of planned projects,” he says.

“If you have identified an environmental improvement for your property but have been put off by the associated costs, this grant could provide the necessary financial support to help you implement these changes,” he adds.

Rossiter-Stead says the funds give Environment Southland the ability to partner with the community so more projects can be achieved to protect and restore the natural environment in the region.

The funding is divided into two categories: one for land management and another for native planting.

To be eligible, projects must be discussed with an Environment Southland land sustainability officer before submitting an application.

Completed applications must be received by close of business on 14 February, 2025.

All projects must be completed within the financial year, with invoices submitted by 15 June, 2025.

For more information or to apply, contact Environment Southland on 0880 76 88 45.

More like this

EPA Approves Beetle to Tackle Chilean Flame Creeper

Environment Southland is welcoming this week’s decision by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to approve the release of Blaptea elguetai, a leaf‑feeding beetle that will help control the highly invasive Chilean flame creeper.

Featured

Lincoln Student Awarded Dairy Scholarship

The South Island Dairy Event has announced Jessica Findlay as the recipient of the BrightSIDE Scholarship Programme, recognising her commitment to furthering her education and future career in the New Zealand dairy industry.

Bridge Pā Table Grape Harvest Starts Weeks Early

Budou are being picked now in Bridge Pā, the most intense and exciting time of the year for the Greencollar team – and the harvest of the finest eating grapes is weeks earlier than expected.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Penny Pinching

OPINION: A mate of yours truly reckons rural Manawatu families are the latest to suffer under what he calls the…

New Order

OPINION: If old Winston Peters thinks building trade relations with new nations, such as India, isn't a necessary investment in…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter